OK, time for a review of the Fanatec Clubsport pedals, which I received about 6 weeks ago. I won't go into features and stuff, as you can find all that information elsewhere. Instead I'll talk about the most important differences compared to the G25 pedals that I used before.
First some background info:
There's no doubt that for me, pedals are more important than the wheel. Ever since I started simracing I've spent a LOT of effort learning various pedal techniques, and I quickly started trying to learn heel&toe. A lot of work also went into modding my G25 pedals (including the Nixim mod), and eventually, I arrived at a configuration that I was rather pleased with. I also made a youtube video showing the "fruits of my labour".
But even with everything "perfected", I still suffered a big problem: I was simply unable to maintain a constant pressure on the brake while heel&toe-ing. As I blipped the throttle I would inevitably loose some brake pressure.
The pedals
Now, moving on to the Clubsport pedals.. Inside the brake there's a piece of rather stiff foam which, as you press the pedal, offers progressively more resistance. (unlike a spring, where force and distance increase in proportion all the way) So at first, it's rather soft and squishy but then it stiffens progressively.
"Hold on a minute", you might say. "I can get the same effect in my G25 pedals by using the Nixim mod, because rubber and foam have quite similar characteristics when you push on it!"
Yes, that's true. But as you'll probably know, the brake pedal on the Clubsports uses a load cell rather than a potentiometer (which is used on the G25). This means that rather than measuring how far you push the pedal, it measures which force you're applying. And for me at least, it's much easier to maintain a near-constant force than a constant distance of depression while braking.
It's a bit hard to put into words, but the net result speaks for itself: I am now able to maintain an (approximately) constant amount of braking when heel&toe-ing! :yipee: This really improved my car control a lot. To illustrate, I'm attaching two replays: one old one with the G25, and a new one with the Clubsports. You'll quite clearly see the difference, I think.
G25 Nixim demo
Clubsports demo
Another big plus with these pedals is their great adjustability. No modding necessary -- these things can accomodate all styles of driving and all drivers. Alltogether, I couldn't be more pleased. Definitely my best ever sim-related purchase, and I thoroughly recommend them.
Please ask if there's something you'd like to know!
First some background info:
There's no doubt that for me, pedals are more important than the wheel. Ever since I started simracing I've spent a LOT of effort learning various pedal techniques, and I quickly started trying to learn heel&toe. A lot of work also went into modding my G25 pedals (including the Nixim mod), and eventually, I arrived at a configuration that I was rather pleased with. I also made a youtube video showing the "fruits of my labour".
But even with everything "perfected", I still suffered a big problem: I was simply unable to maintain a constant pressure on the brake while heel&toe-ing. As I blipped the throttle I would inevitably loose some brake pressure.
The pedals
Now, moving on to the Clubsport pedals.. Inside the brake there's a piece of rather stiff foam which, as you press the pedal, offers progressively more resistance. (unlike a spring, where force and distance increase in proportion all the way) So at first, it's rather soft and squishy but then it stiffens progressively.
"Hold on a minute", you might say. "I can get the same effect in my G25 pedals by using the Nixim mod, because rubber and foam have quite similar characteristics when you push on it!"
Yes, that's true. But as you'll probably know, the brake pedal on the Clubsports uses a load cell rather than a potentiometer (which is used on the G25). This means that rather than measuring how far you push the pedal, it measures which force you're applying. And for me at least, it's much easier to maintain a near-constant force than a constant distance of depression while braking.
It's a bit hard to put into words, but the net result speaks for itself: I am now able to maintain an (approximately) constant amount of braking when heel&toe-ing! :yipee: This really improved my car control a lot. To illustrate, I'm attaching two replays: one old one with the G25, and a new one with the Clubsports. You'll quite clearly see the difference, I think.
G25 Nixim demo
Clubsports demo
Another big plus with these pedals is their great adjustability. No modding necessary -- these things can accomodate all styles of driving and all drivers. Alltogether, I couldn't be more pleased. Definitely my best ever sim-related purchase, and I thoroughly recommend them.
Please ask if there's something you'd like to know!